Improvement in burial-caskets



o. M. ALLEN. B'URIAL CASKET.

Patented Sept. 12 1876.

WITNESSES .dttorney;

NFETERS, PHOTO-LITHQGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

omnn STATES PATENT FFIGE OSCAR M. ALLEN, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-'JEEIIBDS OF HIS RIGHTv TO HOSEA HENIKA AND ETHAN ALLEN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BURlAL-CASKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 182,144., dated September 12, 1876 application filed July 1, 1876.

which it appertains to make and use the same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to burial caskets or coffins; and consists, first, in the combination,

with the single lid or cover of a burial-casket, of an unframed glass plate, freely adjustable in a plane parallel to said cover, whereby said glass may be easily removed from 0E the face of the deceased; second, in the combination, with the sliding glass, of a locking-pin, provided with a smooth bearin g, which rests upon said glass, whereby the latter may be moved back and forth without frictionfrom the pin, thus preserving the glass free from scratch or injury.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of acoffin provided with myim provement. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section.

A'is any suitable coffin or buriaLcasket, of construction, material, or design as desired. B is the stationary lid, which may also be of any agreeable construction, which is provided with a full open face, 0, of any size desired; and the dimension of same is immaterial to my invention, since said opening may be of limited size, or extend in any degree, even to the full length. -D D are grooves or ways constructed in the sectional dimension of the lid,

which latter is s'uflicient to allow of such groov-' ing and at the same time produce a reliable support for the inclosed glass E resting on the same. These grooves or slottedways continue from their connecting-point at center of the head, respectively, along either side of said opening, to the cross-piece F, which latter may be adjustably secured to the main lid by any engaging mechanism. From this cross piece the runway continues down the length of the lid. It is understood that the lower surface of this cross-piece is flush with the lower surface of the runway, and forms a continuous connection with same, upon which the glass slides.

By removing the cross-piece and one of the side sections of the runway the glass can be taken out or placed in position freely and without delay.

At any suitable position, preferably the center of the lid, I providea locking-pin, G, vertically adjustable in a slot, g, and at such a relative distance to the lower extremity of the glass that when the pin is down it may have a lateral bearing against the lower or foot end of the glass, thus securely retaining the same closedand tight at the head.

If desired, I may cause this pin to work in a torsion-spring, so as to be spring-pressed, with its head held firmly down to the top of the ooflin. It will be observed this pinis provided with a smooth plane surface at its lower extremity, thus obtaining a bearing-point as the glass slides to and fro, which will prevent friction and any abrasion of the surface of the glass. However, I may provide a spring-lever catch to hold the pin up from the glass, if desired; but this pin constitutes a secondary feature of my invention, since I may do without anylockin g mechanism, orImay use clamping means at the sides, or any other appropriate device.

A thumb-piece or holder, H, may be secured in any manner to the glass, to allow of ready manipulation and furnish a catch by which to slide the same back and forth.

The advantage of my improvement consists in the simplicity and lightness of my means, whereby all complicated connecting mechanism is dispensed with, and heavy joining of parts is thus obviated.

It will be understood that I lay no pretensions to a framed glass sliding or otherwise adjustable in the lid of a coffin, since I am aware a framed glass has been thus moved; but my invention has for its aim at less complicated mechanism and a lighter adjustment of parts in operating the glass than has heretofore been the case, since, under my principle, the glass itself is free of any subsidiary frame, and directly slides in the single main lid ofa casket.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with the single lid or cover of a burial-casket, of the unframed glass plate, freely adjustable in a plane parallel to said lid, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the independentlysliding glass in a burial-case, of an engaging device provided with a smooth end bearing, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presenee'of two witnesses.

OSCAR M. ALLEN.

Witnesses:

THOMAS B. HALL, F. O. MCULEARY. 

